I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Ten: Souvenir

Chapter Ten
Souvenir

The Peak tower boasts the highest viewing platform located at the top. Pero pumasok muna kami sa loob para kumain at magtingin-tingin nang souvenirs na maiuuwi raw sa Pilipinas.

Kasabay ko si Jayden maglakad. Si Chloe at Zywon, nasa likuran namin at nakasunod kung saan ako tinatahak ng paa ko. Luminga ako sa paligid para maghanap ng pwedeng mauwi para sa magulang ko.

"What do you think should I bring home?" tanong ko pa kay Jayden.

Iniisip ko kung mag-uuwi ba ang ng mga mugs, keychains o refrigerator magnets pero parang gasgas na kasi bilang pasalubong. My mother might appreciate the ref magnets or the mug, but what else could be worth my money?

"Memories," sagot ni Jayden sa tanong ko.

I frowned at his answer. "That's so obvious and immaterial! Ang ibig kong sabihin 'yung pwedeng mahawakan!"

"Anything that will remind you of the place." I watched him place his hands on his pockets as he tugged a sigh. "If you want something worth your money, bumili ka ng alam mong magagamit mo ng maayos."

Tumango-tango ako. "Ikaw? Anong iuuwi mong souvenir?"

He shrugged. "I don't really have plans of buying anything."

"Bakit naman?" Inunahan ko siya at naglakad ako sa harapan niya. Patalikod tuloy ako sa daang tinatahak namin. "Sayang naman pagpunta mo kung wala kang pruweba na nagpunta ka dito."

"For the record, I have."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Ano naman 'yon?"

My brows lifted when he took out his phone. He opened its camera roll at ini-scroll ang napakaraming litrato ko na kinuha niya kanina. Since cinareer niya ang pagiging photographer ko, nilubos ko na rin. I asked him to take pictures of me habang naglalakad, habang papasok sa loob ng tower at hanggang sa kumain kami kanina.

"Proofs of my slavery in Hong Kong," he remarked.

I scowled at him. "Ginagawa ba kitang alipin?!"

"These are not paid. This is forced labor."

I rolled my eyes at him. Talagang pinagmukha pa akong masama. Siya kaya nag-presinta na picture-an ako. My only mistake is I took it for granted and made the most out of it!

"Duh, you're my friend, Jayden. Don't make it a business!"

"Are you my friend?" inosente ngunit bakas ang panloloko niyang sabi.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at hinampas siya ng mahina.

"Why? You don't consider me as one? Grabe ka talaga sa'kin!"

Tingnan mo 'tong supladong ito! Matapos ang lahat ng kaonting pinagsamahan namin, hindi pa pala kaibigan ang turing sa'kin.

He blinked innocently. "I'm clarifying, Almira."

Inirapan ko siya. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo-"

Someone from my back accidentally hit my arm. Dahil siguro patalikod ang paglalakad ko ay hindi ko namalayan na may tao pala. Haharap sana ako roon kung hindi lang hinawakan ni Jayden ang kamay ko para ilayo ako roon kasi muntikan pang may makabangga ako ulit.